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Oral health-related quality of life in Hong Kong preschool children.

Oral health-related quality of life in Hong Kong preschool children.

Authors :
Wong HM
McGrath CP
King NM
Lo EC
Source :
Caries research [Caries Res] 2011; Vol. 45 (4), pp. 370-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Aug 03.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of early childhood caries (ECC) on the quality of life in a population of preschool children and their families in Hong Kong.<br />Methods: A random sample of 1,296 Chinese preschool children participated in the survey and were subjected to an oral examination for their ECC status by 2 trained examiners. The parents were asked to respond to the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and an extra set of questions concerning their sociodemographic background.<br />Results: The final data analysis included 1,261 children with a mean (±SD) age of 3.9 ± 0.66 years. The prevalence figures for ECC and severe ECC were 19.9 and 15.2%, respectively. Decayed teeth were found in 34.3% of the children while only 5.2% had filled teeth. The mean (±SD) dmft in this group of children was 1.5 ± 2.98. Higher ECOHIS scores were found in parents with lower education or income level, or with children who were born in mainland China (p < 0.05), or with children who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth (p < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses, decayed teeth and filled teeth in primary dentition were the better predictors (p < 0.001) of the ECOHIS score among the various parent and child characteristics collected in this survey.<br />Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that parents of young children with dental caries experience perceived that both the children and other family members had poorer quality of life.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1421-976X
Volume :
45
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Caries research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21822015
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1159/000330231